Cities across the state are facing big economic problems and Rio Rancho is no different.Rio Rancho is feeling the pain of the economic slowdown. The city's revenue is down by about $900,000."Right now we're pinching our pennies," said Rio Rancho mayor Tom Swisstack. "We're asking departments to look carefully and see if they can cut back on some of their budgets."The city is cutting down on travel and revising its take-home car policy, but no cuts will be made to essential city services."The positions that help protect the safety of this community -- whether its fire, police, 911 services, ambulance -- those aren't being touched at all," said Swisstack.One financial drain for the city has been the Santa Ana Star Center.Swisstack said the city is working on ways to get more people to the arena.A multi-million dollar deal with Lionsgate Studios also recently fell through, but Swisstack feels the city will be fine without it."Lionsgate -- that's one part of the puzzle," said Swisstack. "It isn't the total puzzle. We still have UNM, CNM, Hewlett-Packard."Those businesses are still on track to build in downtown and could bring up to 3,000 new jobs, the city estimates.Another positive indicator is the city's still-booming population."As we continue to grow, our property taxes are coming in a little bit higher," said Swisstack. The city estimates property taxes could make up for about half of the revenue downfall.

RIO RANCHO, N.M. —

Cities across the state are facing big economic problems and Rio Rancho is no different.

Rio Rancho is feeling the pain of the economic slowdown. The city's revenue is down by about $900,000.

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"Right now we're pinching our pennies," said Rio Rancho mayor Tom Swisstack. "We're asking departments to look carefully and see if they can cut back on some of their budgets."

The city is cutting down on travel and revising its take-home car policy, but no cuts will be made to essential city services.

"The positions that help protect the safety of this community -- whether its fire, police, 911 services, ambulance -- those aren't being touched at all," said Swisstack.

One financial drain for the city has been the Santa Ana Star Center.

Swisstack said the city is working on ways to get more people to the arena.

A multi-million dollar deal with Lionsgate Studios also recently fell through, but Swisstack feels the city will be fine without it.

"Lionsgate -- that's one part of the puzzle," said Swisstack. "It isn't the total puzzle. We still have UNM, CNM, Hewlett-Packard."

Those businesses are still on track to build in downtown and could bring up to 3,000 new jobs, the city estimates.

Another positive indicator is the city's still-booming population.

"As we continue to grow, our property taxes are coming in a little bit higher," said Swisstack. The city estimates property taxes could make up for about half of the revenue downfall.